Car & Driver name the F20C
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 19,734
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I think when you combine specific output, reliability and packaging, it's right up there and possibly justified as #1. Lots of other great motors out there that had great flexibility and revs but usually at way higher costs ($ or reliability). Even today, nothing revs to 8900 rpm and is as reliable (most haven't had enough time to prove their reliability) and only cars like Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches and high-end Audis rev to that level. You have to get a GT3, 458 Italia, Huracan or R8 V10 to get that kind of engine design!
Honda got the trifecta - reliable performance at moderately low cost - that has yet to be duplicated. I'd say the Mustang GT350R with its 5.2L V8 will probably be a prime candidate for a similar honor as it brings an exotic design to a (relatively) plebeian vehicle in terms of cost and attainability.
Honda got the trifecta - reliable performance at moderately low cost - that has yet to be duplicated. I'd say the Mustang GT350R with its 5.2L V8 will probably be a prime candidate for a similar honor as it brings an exotic design to a (relatively) plebeian vehicle in terms of cost and attainability.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,387
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From: Palo Alto
I can see reasons for voting the F20C as the best of all time (well at least reasonably modern times). I would have put the LSx family of engines ahead of it. I can't call the GM small block a single family as the LSx family has almost nothing in common with the older motors. Note that the pre-LS motors do actually trace their lineage straight back to the 1955 small block. My reasons to promoting the LSx over the F20C is the extremely flexible, compact, fuel efficient and powerful nature of the motor. The F20C brought exotic HP/L to the masses and the specific power was unmatched at any price for many years. However, when you look at HP/kg or HP/ft^3 of engine bay the motor is just decent. Even if it wasn't my first choice it would certainly be high on the list.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,364
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Boy, best? It's a great talking point though. It's a fantastic motor, I loved it when I owned my S's, I mean 9k redline in an affordable car, etc etc, but best is such a loaded term. I mean the LSx motors, supercar performance in an affordable, relatively compact and fuel efficient, however it won't satisfy the geeks who shun things with pushrods. Then there's the BMW I6s which benefit from the inherently perfectly balanced I6 layout etc etc, but then it doesn't make that much power per dollar and a myriad of other reasons. Then there's the LFA motor which is just nuts but again the output is not adequate given its cost although alot of you will beg to differ. I mean we could go on and on. So I guess I talked myself into circling back to the f20c, it is a credible, reasonable statement to make.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,126
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From: Louisville, KY
Awesome! It's a no brainer to include it in the top 5-10, so I'm not THAT surprised it's #1. Honda - when they feel like it - can build some of the world's best machines. Another reason to love the S2K.
I know about the hollow camshafts, fiber-reinforced cylinder liners, etc., but can anyone confirm whether the "titanium connecting rods" blurb is accurate? Like mentioned above, it might not be.
I know about the hollow camshafts, fiber-reinforced cylinder liners, etc., but can anyone confirm whether the "titanium connecting rods" blurb is accurate? Like mentioned above, it might not be.
